On Nov. 7 at 6 p.m., the City of Champaign will celebrate becoming the first Illinois municipality and 21st overall city to be designated a Certified Welcoming place by Welcoming America.
The event at the Champaign City Building will be free for the public and will include a representative from Welcome America presenting the certification.
Champaign joined Welcoming America’s evaluation process in 2022. The organization evaluates how welcoming certain cities and counties are to immigrants in the economic and social sectors of their community.
“We are thrilled to recognize the City of Champaign in becoming a Certified Welcoming place,” said Rachel Perić, executive director of Welcoming America, in a recent press release from the City of Champaign. “As the first city in Illinois to receive the designation, and the 21st in the nation, we look forward to celebrating and supporting the community’s ongoing efforts to make the city a welcoming place for all.”
Champaign has also received a two-star designation from Welcoming America’s new star system earlier this year. According to a recent press release from the City of Champaign, “the new Certified Welcoming star system creates a roadmap for communities to advance welcoming work with transparency and accountability.”
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“The Champaign community has a long history of welcoming immigrants with open arms and helping them to settle into our wonderfully diverse city,” said Mayor Deborah Feinen. “The City of Champaign embraces our newest residents and celebrates the different cultures and backgrounds that each brings to strengthen our community.”
